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"If this ordinance would have been in place on March 6, my son would still be alive today," Borchardt said.

But at the packed meeting, there were many others who spoke out against the ordinance.

Humane Society board member Sean Van Derel said ordinances targeting pit bulls are ineffective in preventing attacks and are tough to enforce.

"The only way to determine the breed of an animal, with this ordinance, would be a DNA test," Van Derel said.

Van Derel said pit bulls and mixed breeds are unfairly targeted.

"It's not a monster. It's just like any other animal, and it's a product of its surroundings. If it's brought up and cared for well, it's a good dog," Van Derel said.

"I witnessed a vicious attack by three pit bulls in my neighborhood," said Lyle Lidhol, who witnessed the attack.

Lidholm said he watched in July 2012 part of what led to the proposed ordinance -- a neighbor's pit bulls attacking a black Labrador in the street and biting two people.

Watertown's police chief tried to stop one of the pit bulls.

"When he was unsuccessful in this attempt, he pulled his pistol, and shot the dog dead," Lidholm said. "I feel that this ordinance is needed."

The ordinance passed Tuesday means there will be increased fines for successive violations of vicious dogs. The law does not specifically mention pit bulls.

The police department researched pit bull attacks within the last three years. There have been 78 dog attacks on people or animals in the city of Watertown, 19 percent were confirmed attacks by pit bulls.

Pit bulls make up 2.5 percent of the registered dog population in Watertown.

Watertown police said they've been forced to shoot and kill three pit bulls in a four-year period.